Tom Crean Pt. 1: Managing the dilemmas of modern college basketball

Tom Crean, the former head coach at Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia, joins Woj to discuss the seismic shifts currently reshaping the college basketball landscape. Crean, who led Marquette to a Final Four and coached stars like Dwyane Wade and Anthony Edwards, dives deep into the evolving demands of coaching staffs in the NIL and Transfer Portal era, sharing insights on player development and how the best programs are fighting to maintain culture in an increasingly transactional world.

Problem vs. Dilemma: Crean explains the shift in the head coaching role, where modern issues like NIL and the portal are no longer "problems" to be solved but "dilemmas" that must be managed daily.
The Evolution of Coaching Staffs: He discusses how the responsibilities of assistants have changed, emphasizing that every staff member must now be a fundraiser, an evaluator, and a relationship-builder rather than just a recruiter.
Recruiters vs. Evaluators: Crean breaks down why the ability to evaluate talent and provide fundamental solutions is more critical than ever, and warns against the "shortsightedness" of recruiting based on empty promises.
Sustaining Culture: He shares a behind-the-scenes look at his recent visit with Tom Izzo at Michigan State, highlighting how the Spartans have mastered program consistency and former-player engagement despite the chaos of the portal era.
The Professional Bridge: Crean reflects on the vital role college programs play in preparing athletes for the mental and professional rigors of the NBA, and the danger of losing those transformational bridges in a transactional environment.

We’ll see you next week for episode eleven of The Program.

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02:14 Challenges in Modern Coaching
04:35 Personal Reflections on Coaching
09:13 Evolving Roles in Coaching
16:33 Building a Successful Program: Who does it well?


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